The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

It’s been 12 years since we last checked in with the dizzy British media executive, Bridget Jones, who ever since her very first onscreen appearance has won over the hearts of many. Though the third film in the franchise has been met with a lukewarm reception, her return sees her face her biggest challenge yet – an unexpected pregnancy – in the funny and delightfully entertaining, Bridget Jones’ Baby.  

The story catches up with the now forty-three-year-old, Bridget (Zellweger), who has broken off her engagement with longtime love Mark Darcy (Firth) some years before and is now working as a TV producer. Whilst most of her friends are busy having babies, Bridget is determined to embrace her single-status, joining pal Miranda (Solemani) to a music festival where she first meets a handsome online dating businessman, Jack (Dempsey). 

Taken by the beautiful stranger, Bridget decides to enjoy a one-night stand with Jack before fleeing the next morning. It’s not long before she bumps into Mark at a party and after having learned that he is once again single, she jumps at a chance to spend a night with her ex. A couple of months later, Bridget finds herself pregnant and unsure who the father is.

The story, scripted by Helen Fielding herself along with Dan Mazer and Emma Thompson, is the third, and probably safe to assume final, instalment in the Bridget Jones film series which comes to us twelve years after a sequel that didn’t receive as much love as the original. Considering that there’s quite a gap between the two releases, the movie benefits from having Sharon Maguire on board – she directed the first film – who ensures that Bridget Jones vibe is still very much present throughout.

The problems are bigger this time around, though, and the story follows a now much-aged but, not entirely matured, Bridget fighting her way through life as a singleton who is still struggling to find love. The writing is raunchier this time around and while the more dramatic beats are handled superbly, the comedy – which relies a little too much on sight gags and physical humour – is at times a little tiring.  

Both Dempsey and Firth are reliable in their roles as the two men fighting for the affection of Bridget and it’s easy to see why she would be torn between two men who she can see herself with. Equally superb is Thompson who plays Bridget’s gynaecologist, though the empty hole left by the absence of one Daniel Cleaver is felt throughout.

Funny, touching and a must-see for any true Bridget Jones fan, this is a fine addition to the trilogy and whilst not everything works, there is still plenty there to connect to.